Haas Tl-1 Toolroom Lathe [Archive] - CNCzone.com-The Largest Machinist Community on the net!

bookwurm99

10-08-2007, 07:37 PM

i have been running the tl-1 at work for about 3 months and before that it wasn't used for about 4+ months. the reason i'm using it is that i know g&m and have run haas machines in college. all the other guys are used to running the okuma's with the igf. this machine is nicer than the okuma that i was running before. the tailstock on the other machine was hit a few times without getting fixed. some parts we had to put about .007/in. taper in to get it to run straight. most of the time it wasn't that bad.
the tl-1 that we have has the 4 position auto turret, the sliding doors, and a manual tailstock. the 4 position turret is annoying sometimes because you have to shim some of your tools to get them on center. i personally prefer the screw adjustable wedge lock tool holders because it is easier to set all tools to center. the most problem setting a tool was a .5 min bore boring bar. putting the bar in the regular tool position made it about .500 low. to fix this we had to find a bushing that fit the bar and also fit the 1.000 id tool holder that we have for it.
the tl1 that we have is about 18 months old. the sliding doors are nice for when you have to use coolant but it would be nicer if the windows didn't leak. the safety door is a little anoying because if you need to have it open to sand or scotchbrite something you are limited to 100 rpms and reaching around it is not fun.
the tailstock is pretty good but it would be nice if it was aligned with the axis of the spindle and not wiggle on the ways so every time you move it you have to realign it so parts run good or holes drill straight.
bottom line: i love this machine but it would be nice to tune it up so it would run better and be a little more operator friendly. i would buy one anyday if i needed a machine.

DEAN

10-09-2007, 05:14 PM

note to the previous post; Your tailstock shouldn't have any "wiggle" in it even before you clamp it down. You may need to adjust the setscrews on the back of the stock at the rear rail. Mine is rock solid and accurate.

How often are you folks greasing your linear bearings? I don't use mine in production, couple hours a day.
I know the manual says to pump grease till it comes out of the trucks, but how often do you suppose? My thought was; pumping grease till it comes out of the bearing can't be too good for the seals.

Geof

10-09-2007, 05:29 PM

....How often are you folks greasing your linear bearings? I don't use mine in production, couple hours a day...

When I remember :) .

Actually I think we do it weekly; I hads given standing instructions for (I think) three strokes of the grease gun once a week. There is grease oozing out of the trucks, not much but a bit so that keeps me satisfied.

bookwurm99

10-20-2007, 08:35 PM

You may need to adjust the setscrews on the back of the stock at the rear rail.

thanks dean. will try that this coming monday. i figured there had to be something to do to fix it. will probably have to take off some of the panels to get my hands in there to adjust them.

rideredcr

10-27-2007, 07:25 PM

Anyone know how to properly remove the deadman switch on a haas tl-1?

Wiseco

10-29-2007, 01:54 PM

Why remove it? If it's just that you want to overide it or bypass it, go on the second page of the setup screen, put ON at door hold override. If you answer yes to the question that the control ask you, you are aware of the danger. You must do that at every power cycling.

squale

11-08-2007, 04:15 PM

I too am looking for my first CNC lathe, I do small lot runs, anywhere from 1-50 pieces. And my parts change daily, I make a bunch of different parts, so fast programming and ease of use (tool changing, etc.) are essential to me. I DO NOT do production runs. I am coming from using a manual engine lathe and wanted to get into my first CNC, I am still a very new machinist. I was looking at the TL-1 and also the Trak Lathes from Southwestern Industries.. either the 1630sx or the 1540sx. A machinist friend of mine that does the same type of work has the Trak 1540 and loves it, he can program it in conversational very very fast which is so important because everyday there are different style parts to make.

I need a machine that can turn up to 6" in diameter, most of my parts are 3.5" or less in diameter. The material is anything from 316L to plastic. I will most likely cut my bar stock into slugs to fit into the chuck because the spindle bore is only about 2.3".

How do you all feel the Hass TL-1 compares to the Trak lathes in terms of performance, durability, programming ease, flexibility in making a variety of different parts, etc.?

BTW.. when did the TL-1 come out?

Thanks!

rideredcr

11-09-2007, 10:27 AM

Thanks Wiseco. Sometimes you over look the easiest stuff. I've had my tl-1 for 2 months now and absolutly love it. It has made life alot easier.

cmacclel

10-02-2008, 11:55 AM

Donkey Hotey

10-02-2008, 11:46 PM

I don't have any experience with any other CNC lathes. I've owned my TL-1 for almost a year now. I've used it but it's mostly for prototyping. It hasn't got many hours. Here are my thoughts:

If you decide to buy a Hass TL series, move up to the TL-2 if you can. It's got 50% more spindle torque, a longer bed and more swing. They're supposed to both be 16" swing but the TL-1 is barely a 16". The center height on the TL-2 is about an inch more.

The tailstock sucks. I understand that the first generation tail stock had repeatability and clamping problems. Whoever designed it, obviously never had to use it. I have the second generation. The guy who designed this thing obviously never used it either. The lock handle is on the front of the machine. It takes 3/4 of a turn to lock it down. The handle is long and it hits the carriage. Every time you want to lock or unlock the tailstock, you have to move the carriage to the left so you can clear it. The tailstock sticks. I don't know how the brake works but it never really releases (unless you're drilling, then it doesn't hold very well). My old manual lathe had a solid tailstock that would just glide down the ways. This thing takes serious work to slide it in and out of position. The quill handle on the back (obvious location) is difficult to use. The control pendant is in your face when you reach to dial the tailstock. It also has poor feel for drilling. It wasn't straight or coaxial when the machine was delivered and I don't think it matters: it seems to change every time you clamp it down. It's really one of the worst points of the whole machine. If you do a lot of precise work with the tailstock, you will hate it in the first hour. Luckily, most of my work has been chucker stuff, so it hasn't been a problem.

The other problem is really not the machine's fault and that's repeatability. There have been threads here and on Practical Machininst addressing it. My best guess is that it's related to the repeatability of most tool posts. I'm using a Dorian CXA series tool post. If my parts require tool changes, I'll get three perfect parts, then suddenly, they're over or under by a couple of thousandths. The answer seems to be a manual turret toolpost or an automatic one. Basically it needs to be something that doesn't get debris in it during change-out and doesn't deflect when clamped. Using gang tooling obviously eliminates this problem but your parts have to be suited to it.

I had a really nice, really straight 16x40 manual lathe that I sold to buy the TL-1. If the TL-1 were a manual lathe, you'd laugh at it. The 'feel' is just terrible compared to a well oiled, well made, manual lathe. The fact remains though that if I had kept the manual machine, I'd never use it again anyway. I'll tolerate all of the TL-1's shortcomings to not have to make parts manually. The first time I cut a blind, inside thread, up to a shoulder, at 400 RPM, I knew I couldn't go back to manual work ever again.

And I have to emphasize: we get what we pay for. My old manual lathe was a $12K machine. For that kind of coin, it had better be a nice machine. If the TL-1 had things like an equally smooth tailstock, it probably would have cost another $5-7K. The TL-1 and 2 are what they are: entry level CNC machines or for people who need an open machine that can be hand-cranked once in awhile.

cmacclel

10-03-2008, 08:49 AM

Greg thanks for the reply it's just the kind of info I wanted to hear. I'm looking at the Haas and the Trak 1440EX which is around $18500 with coolant pump and Tailstock. The Hass seems like it's a much beefier machine but for what I'm doing the 12x36 manual lathe I have now is barely getting worked.

For $2000 you would think the tailstock would be better! The cheap Grizzly G4003g I have know has really no issues with the tailstock and the Haas tailstock is 2/3rds the price of the whole Grizzly lathe!

I which I could find more info in the Track lathes :(

Mac

squale

10-03-2008, 10:01 AM

go with a TRAK lathe. the new 1630 is nice for a lighter machine. The 1840 is REALLY nice!

Donkey Hotey

10-03-2008, 10:27 AM

You're welcome, Mac. I guess I should have added that the thing that makes the TL-1 so versatile is the Intuitive Programming Screens (IPS). Yeah, I know that people know their G-code and can whip up a program in a few minutes but those screens are much more convenient than that.

The best example (but not the only example) is threading. I can have half a dozen shafts that I need to add a thread to the end of. It's as simple as walking up to the machine, punching up the threading screen, inputting the basic dimensions of the thread, touching off and cutting them.

If the first article doesn't fit the test nut, knock a few thousandths off and run at it again. You can do it at high enough RPM that the material cuts instead of tears. You can do it over and over until you get the thread you want, then cut the remainder of the parts the same way. You can do it with fairly little concentration (stress).

I think the real strength of these lathes is the Haas control. If it were somebody else's machine and had a less friendly control, I don't think I would have bought it.

And I don't pretend that the tailstock is worth the asking price. What they did was take a $27K machine and made $5-7K worth of it into options. If you really ordered it with nothing (no coolant, no tailstock, no chuck, nada), they'd be losing money on the control, the materials, advertising costs and the manufacturing costs. They probably break even when you order a tailstock and coolant pump. Options above that start to give them some return.

Their real goal is to give you a cheap path into the Haas family, then let you discover on your own, why you really needed an enclosed turning center like the SL-20. Everybody still needs a machine for one-off parts, quick-fixes or whatever. If you're familiar with the Haas control or think you'll head that way in the future, it's still a nice machine to have around (even after you move on to a turning center).

I think Haas is actually ignoring a potential market: solid, open lathes like the TL-1 and 2, but with better ergonomics, smoother operating mechanics and a gearbox for low SFM torque (large diameter, hard, slow-cutting materials). I can't pretend that they'd be as cheap but I'm sure there are people who aren't shopping by price. They do want the package of something like the TL-2 but can't afford the trade-offs of low torque or that imprecise tailstock. Read the TL-3B thread below this one and you'll see what I'm talking about.

cmacclel

10-03-2008, 10:37 AM

Greg I believe the Haas Programing may be slightly ahead of the ProtoTrack that I'm looking into, but they both have the same style conversational programing. Also the Entry level Trak lathe is manual start as the base is a conventional Gear head lathe you manual have to change speeds on. So I guess it would have more torque in the lower RPM's.

http://www.southwesternindustries.com/swi/prod_lathes5.shtml

Here is the 1440EX Manual

There next machine up the 1630SX has a more advanced controller which would be more comparable to the Haas TL-1

http://www.southwesternindustries.com/swi/prod_lathes1.shtml

The 1630SX has Constant Suraface Speed does the Haas??

Mac

Donkey Hotey

10-03-2008, 10:50 AM

I'll have to look at their stuff next year, at Westec. I already own but it's always good to learn about the competition.

Yes, the Haas does constant surface speed. It has all the same features as the larger machines.

Not knowing enough about the control on the Trak, I'd wonder if it deals with things like tool-nose-compensation (TNC), how many tool offsets it has, how does it deal with tool changes, etc. Those are just things that I didn't even know to ask when I was buying. TNC wasn't important until I started trying to cut true ball-ends. Things get really interesting if you don't compensate for the radius on the cutting tip.

Geof

10-03-2008, 11:04 AM

cmacclel

10-03-2008, 11:45 AM

An advantage the Haas has is the ability to run on single phase power.

Also does the Trak have all the canned cycles; G71, G72, G70 for roughing and finishing, G74, G75 for pecking grooving on OD and face, G32, G76, G92 for threading.

Here is the manual

http://www.southwesternindustries.com/swi/Manuals/24494_Manual.pdf

It has Tool Tip Radius Compensation and

Canned Cycles
• Position
• Drill
• Bore
• Turn
• Arc
• Cycle
• Thread
• Groove

Additional Canned Cycles:
- Custom thread
- Tap
- Thread repair

Mac

squale

10-03-2008, 11:58 AM

so is the Trak SLX control on the 1630 lathe more powerful than the HASS TL-1 control? and easier to use and program for small lot runs?

cmacclel

10-26-2008, 10:12 AM

Well times up I need to purchase something ASAP as my current machine is going back at the end of next week.

I demoed the controller boxes for both the Trak 1440ex and 1630sx. They both where somewhat archaic compared to the TL lathes but once gotten use to seemed to be much faster to program than the TL series controller.

I went and saw a TL-1 friday and man the pictures do not justify the size of this beast! It's huge with a much bigger footprint than the trak lathes.

Hopefully someone here with a TL can clarify something for me.

With the track lathes you can easily write a whole program
with multiple tools and once the program is running the lathe moves back to the set home position and prompts you to change the tool, then press go an the lathe is off to the next operation. Can you do this with the TL-1 with the conversational programming easily? Whats up with the record feature?? It seems kind of silly to me if I understand it right.

From the manual it seems to me you need to write a single operation in the IPS software then run the operation and while it's running you can record it. Then write another operation and again record it. Can you write a hole program with multiple operations as one program on the machine? Will it prompt you to change tools like the traks?

Thanks Mac

squale

10-26-2008, 12:02 PM

I heard the TL lathes aren't nearly as easy to program as the ProtoTRAK's are.
I have 2 prototraks in the shop..

Donkey Hotey

10-26-2008, 12:11 PM

Can you do this with the TL-1 with the conversational programming easily? Whats up with the record feature?? It seems kind of silly to me if I understand it right.

Yes, Mac, it will let you write programs conventionally, at the control. All you do is change the tool specification in the program and the machine will stop and ask you to load the proper tool (by number).

What I do, is pick a 'safe position' on the lathe (clear of the part, with any of the tools). When I do a tool change, I go into machine coordinates (G53) then rapid to that position, then change the tool number. I keep a paper table of all of my tool blocks (with the description) on the back splash guard. I put the same description in the comment after the tool block.

This is an example of how I work on my TL. I write what I want to do out in comment blocks. I add the G-code where I remember it but I focus on the part flow at this point. I go back through and build each operation with actual code and coordinates after the fact. I do this in Notepad and move it to the control. It's not that you can't do it at the control but typing just goes faster on a computer.

I've highlighted the moves that I use over and over for the tool changes. I use a safe move to clear the part to a standard location, shut off the coolant, stop the spindle. The machine pauses, waits for the tool change. You resume by pressing Cycle Start again. The commands restart the spindle and the coolant and return to the start of the next operation.

%
O00220
(Pivot balls)
(Stock Diameter: 7/8" Brass)
(Chuck 2.2-2.5" from jaws)
(Cycle ends with Parting tool)
(at set point for next part)
(pull bar to face of parting tool)
(before resuming)
(Tools)
(T2 Right Facing tool)
(T10 Parting Tool)
(T6 Left profiling tool)
(****************************************)
(PREPARATIION)
G54 G50 S1200 (Spindle Max RPM)
G96 S600 (CSS on, 800 SFM)
(****************************************)
T10 (LOAD PARTING TOOL)
G00 X0.25 Z0.05 (Loading Position)
M00 (Ensure Bar is against Parting Face)
G53 G00 X-5. Z-13. (Tool Change location)
(****************************************)
(RH Side of Bar)
T2 (Aloris Turn Face Holder)
M08 (Coolant On)
M03 (Spindle Start)
G00 X0.9 Z0.05 (Return Point)
G72 P1 Q2 D0.04 F0.004 U0.002 W0.002 (Roughing Cycle)
N1 G00 X0.880 Z-0.4 (two axis move--type 2 roughing)
G01 X0.748 Z-.374 F0.002
G03 X0.0 Z0.0 R0.374
N2 G01 X-0.05
G70 P1 Q2 (Finish Pass)
M09 (Coolant off)
M05 (Spindle Stop)
G53 G00 X-5. Z-13. (Tool Change location)
(****************************************)
(LH Side of Bar)
T6 (Kennametal LH Profiling Tool)
M08 (Coolant On)
M03 (Spindle Start)
G00 X0.9 Z-1.6 (Return Point)
G71 P3 Q4 D0.04 F0.004 U0.005 W-0.005 (Roughing Cycle)
N3 G00 X0.875 Z-1.520 (two axis move--type 2 roughing)
G01 X0.5 Z-1.252 F0.002
Z-0.652
G02 X0.748 Z-0.374 R0.374
N4 G01 Z-0.350
G70 P1 Q2 (Finish Pass)
M09 (Coolant off)
M05 (Spindle Stop)
G53 G00 X-5. Z-13. (Tool Change location)
(****************************************)
(PARTING)
T10 (LOAD PARTING TOOL)
M08 (Coolant On)
M03 (Spindle Start)
G00 Z-1.38 (Parting Location)
X0.55 (Rapid to Surface)
G75 X-0.02 I0.025 F0.003
(****************************************)
M09 (Coolant off)
M05 (Spindle Stop)
G00 X0.25 Z0.05 (Loading Position)
(Unchuck Bar, Pull to Parting Bar Face)
M30
%I use the conversational programming for simple, single operations (facing, turning or threading) but I haven't used the Record feature yet. I have used the Profile feature to build a path right at the control. I took the dimensions off of the old part with a caliper and literally drew the part on the control. It knocked out a handful of them in nothing flat.

My opinions of the TL-1 can sometimes seem like I don't like it. That's not really true. I love the machine but I'm constructively critical of it. I don't want anybody thinking that I'm blindly supporting Haas. It has its pros and cons. I've had it a year now. If I could do it over, there is nothing in the price range that I would have bought instead. If I had twice as much money as I spent on the TL-1, I'd buy a TL-2 with an enclosure and more options, not somebody else's machine. That's not to suggest that somebody else might not make a better machine but I'm not dissatisfied enough to find out.

cmacclel

11-05-2008, 08:21 AM

go with a TRAK lathe. the new 1630 is nice for a lighter machine. The 1840 is REALLY nice!

I was told the 1630 is stiffer and can take a larger cut than the TL-1 due to the boxed ways, I have no idea if this is true.

I'm sick of looking for a new lathe :(

I looked at a Demo TL-1 on monday and even though the Haas contoller seems more powerful I like the simplicity of the Trak controller.

One thing that I really disliked on the TL-1 was the IPS conversational sofware did not let you specify a finish cut or finish feedrate. The Haas engineer stated you could go into profile mode and specify a rough pass then after completed go back and enter a finish pass.

With all the bells and whistles in the Haas controller I'm suprised this is not standard on the IPS screen.

When programming the Trak in any of the canned cycle modes it will ask you whay depth of cut and feedrate for roughing and then ask what depth of finish pass and feedrate along with a different tool option.

Mac

Donkey Hotey

11-05-2008, 09:19 AM

Technically speaking, a 'finish pass' would involve a different tool (rounded nose, deep cuts for quick roughing, sharper cutter, light cut for finish). So if you were truly building a program in IPS, you'd be building two different passes with a tool-change.

I would never suggest that you're going to rely on the IPS screens to serve your needs. IPS is convenient for one-off jobs where you just want to turn a shoulder or thread something. It's too limiting to really allow you the control you're going to need/want if you're doing production parts.

I wouldn't lie to you: you're going to have to learn G-code if you buy the Haas. It's not rocket science. There are only a handful of canned cycles for everything you do. It ain't that hard. Take a look at the program I posted above (with comments). That was roughing, finishing, tool-nose compensation, a work offset, tool offsets, coolant and spindle starts/stops; all in one program.

I've got Mastercam for my mill but that doesn't keep me out of the G-code. In fact, I often have to do a simplified program of what I want to do, then post it and check the G-code to see if it's doing what I expect/want it to do. The latest is fine-boring: I'm having to verify that the shift direction is going the right way and that it's generating the proper G-code for the type of boring I want.

So the bottom line is: CNC = knowing G-code (or some other language). If the machine promises conversational programming, I'll promise that you'll still end up having to learn what's going on under the hood. Maybe the Trak is closer to what you want out of a machine but I doubt you can really avoid learning a language with 'production' parts. I'd bet the Trak is specialized for environments where they need a handful of simple bushings, made in a hurry and then change to something else. That's what conversational programming is for, not production parts.

BTW: I hate the look of the new Haas software but if it were my purchase, I'd still want the latest and greatest. I have zero complaints about the software on my TL-1 (7/08 build date) but the world moves on...

squale

11-05-2008, 01:37 PM

I have to chime in here and say that we have two trak lathes and we don't know any g-code. Never needed to, the conversationaly is great. And we make all sorts of different complex turned parts all day long on the prototrak lathes..

DEAN

11-05-2008, 02:08 PM

I've had a TL-1 for going on 5 years. No problems. It is not the stiffest machine, but it is exactly what it is supposed to be. It has paid for itself many many times over. I would buy one all over again.
D.H. nailed it. You will need to learn G-code eventually. It is not difficult. It is very logical. The IPS system is only for short runs when your brain is lazy. It is really hard to go back and tweak that code when you need to, and you will, trust me.
I went back and forth on the HAAS and TRAK machines. Essentially they both could have served my needs. But it came down to two things for me.
1> The TRAK machines are Chinese iron fitted with the Trak control (somebody spank me here if this is wrong).
2> The HAAS control uses a standard FANUC programming. Your knowledge will transfer over to other machines. After working the TL-1 you pretty much can walk up to any other HAAS lathe and go to work.

squale

11-05-2008, 03:11 PM

I again have to say you guys that haven't used trak lathes are DEAD wrong here about the G-code thing. we have been using Prototrak lathes in our shop for 7 years now, and we are a prototyping shop so we CONSTANTLY are making new different parts with varying complexities. There hasn't been one thing yet that we couldn't program in conversational and none of us know any g-code at all!

But I will agree with you by saying that G-code doesn't look to hard to learn and that it's probably a good idea to learn if you are using other machines especially machines based on Fanuc controls or running Fanuc code... this is so widely used that it's a great thing to learn. But nowadays you really don't need to learn the G-code like you used to with these new conversational ways of programming and especially with new CAM software..

oh and the last trak machine we bought was a 2004 prototrak 1540 with the vl control. The sticker on the side of the machine says 'made in Taiwan'. The new trak lathes I don't know where they are made. But don't knock all the chinese stuff, there is a lot of junk from China but if you get a US company that goes to China and sets forth specifications on their machines to be built you can get some pretty nice machines coming from the same Chinese factories.. just have to make sure you direct these chinese people on what you are looking for. good example.. look at the PM series of machines from this guy Matt.. I have only read GREAT things about their quality being right on par with Taiwan built machines, etc. And guess what, they are made in the same chinese factory that makes other machines for Clausing, etc. http://www.machinetoolonline.com/Newlathes14to19.html
I just ordered a new PM1640 manual lathe with a DRO.

If you are going to go the g-code route and learn G-code and use CAM software to program, etc.. you might want to take a look at this machine and save a bundle of money over either the Hass or the Prototrak... http://www.machinetoolonline.com/PM-1330CNC.html

YouTube has videos of this machine running...

Geof

11-05-2008, 03:37 PM

...After working the TL-1 you pretty much can walk up to any other HAAS lathe and go to work.

A very nice thing about doing prototyping on the TL machinres is that your programs can transfer directly onto the other Haas machines when/if you want to move them to higher volume.

squale

11-05-2008, 03:44 PM

this is one area I DO NOT like about prototrak, most of the controls don't even allow you to input g-code and your programs are specific to their controls. It would be nice to have portability but for me I don't need it

A very nice thing about doing prototyping on the TL machinres is that your programs can transfer directly onto the other Haas machines when/if you want to move them to higher volume.

cmacclel

11-05-2008, 03:46 PM

this is one area I DO NOT like about prototrak, most of the controls don't even allow you to input g-code and your programs are specific to their controls. It would be nice to have portability but for me I don't need it

You can input a G-code program you just need to rename it to .LX2 or .CAM and the Trak will convert it. At least that is what the saleman told me.

Mac

Donkey Hotey

11-05-2008, 10:30 PM

cmacclel

11-05-2008, 11:23 PM

cmacclel

11-09-2008, 01:09 PM

This has been an informative thread. I looked on YouTube and couldn't find a single video of one of these lathes in action. I'm interested enough that I'll spend more time in their booth next year. G-code wasn't really that big of a deal but I'm still intrigued by the idea of a totally conversational control.

Here is the link to download the offline software which allows you to build programs at and computer and port them over to the control via USB Key.

The documentation is non existent but a few things I have learned

Alt + L = Look whats what your drawing
Alt + B = Back
Alt + I Incremtal or radious
Alt + G = Go

Also this is slightly dated the controller now has "Depth of Cut in the cycle command instead of number of passes.

Check it out!

To start click "Go to Lathe" then "Check System"

http://www.southwesternindustries.com/swi/PT6OL.shtml

Keep in mind this is for the non CSS lathe. The other interface for the more advanced machine just has provisions for CSS and a couple more canned cycles.

Mac

simonlawrence

11-16-2008, 07:14 PM

hi i am new to cnczone , can anyone recommend a good cad / cam software program that will run on vista 64 bit and offers advice on feed rates and depth of cut for titanium ect , i am new to cnc and i am considering a haas tl1 . i already use a manual warco 1440 lathe (chinese) but also wonder how difficult it is to learn cnc ect . i have visions of costly tools being smashed up ect.
also i hope to use gang tooling if any software might have that on it .

Kevin Schmidt

11-19-2008, 09:26 PM

TL-1 is nice, I have one. Make sure you order it with a tailstock. Tried to cut down the price, so I ordered with no tailstock. Once I got the money to buy one, now they tell me it is not field installable. I use MasterCAM for my CAM software. It makes suggestions for speeds and feeds but they are only as good as your tooling and material files are, and they are user configurable.

Wilson10

11-20-2008, 05:41 PM

Hi, Ireland calling. This is my first posting, been a voyeur for a while, but felt I should pitch in, particularly in reply to Simonlawrence.

We've had Haas VMCs for 5 or 6 years & would recommend them. All our milling programming is offline, Licom Alphacam.

Two months ago we bought our first Haas lathe, a TL1. I had planned to contact Alphacam for a turning module & postprocessor, but after the training, thought we'll give it a few weeks and see how we get on. The intuitive programming system is so good and fast that we wouldn't dream of bypassing it with an expensive cad cam system. Whether it's 1 off or 100 off the TL1 is a real pleasure to program and use

simonlawrence

11-21-2008, 04:24 AM

with my being new to cnc , is it easy to pick up without smashing tools ect

Wilson10

11-21-2008, 05:34 PM

Ok, the TL series is far from perfect. The first thing we did on our TL1 was to change the handle on the Aloris quick change toolpost which we reckoned was sooner or later going to crash into the guard. We made a telescopic handle springloaded home.

We lengthened the stupid chuck key on the Bison chuck which clashes with the headstock.

The tailstock isn't too clever as it floats sideways allowing the possibility of swarf getting trapped and putting it out of line.

As for using it manually, it would be difficult trying to use the control as a DRO as it is way off to the side.

Having said all that I love using the machine, particularly using the intuitive conversational system, where you can very easily build a program in operations recording each succesive operation and saving the complete program in code format to be used in any Haas lathe.

Ok it helps to have an understanding of G codes so as to be able to edit but it's not rocket science.

As for crashing tools, the average guy being careful, especially at initial stage should'nt have a problem

simonlawrence

11-22-2008, 03:59 AM

i heard there were issue's withe the tailstock alignment , the older ones had 2 locking levers but the latest one seems different , with one on the side , i wonder if they have resolved that issue?

Wilson10

11-22-2008, 07:51 AM

i heard there were issue's withe the tailstock alignment , the older ones had 2 locking levers but the latest one seems different , with one on the side , i wonder if they have resolved that issue?

The tailstock on the TL1 is heavy and awkward and slides on the linear guide rails but not on ball trucks as used in the saddle. Instead the casting is simply machined to bridge the rails.

It has excess sideways movement as it travels and only comes into alignment when clamped.

I suppose the answer is to scrupulously clean the guiderails each and every time to avoid swarf or dirt getting in.

We have a big old Colchester CNC so only use the Haas for small short work so only use the tailstock rarely to drill over 12mm. Less than that is drilled in an ER 32 collet chuck on the toolpost.

When we were looking for a lathe earlier in the year to do one offs and small batches we reckoned the TL1 was the best value for money and we have no regrets.

akdesarkar

11-22-2008, 08:36 AM

akdesarkar
From where can I get free online training CNC Lathe operating?
Thanks

simonlawrence

11-22-2008, 09:08 AM

any tips on setting up the cross slide to rill accutately , i find carbise centre drills like to snap when slightly off centre

Donkey Hotey

11-22-2008, 09:38 AM

cmacclel

01-01-2009, 10:01 PM

What kind of toolpost? What kind of tool holder?

There's no magic to it: dial indicator and a drill rod or other dowel. Indicate it parallel to the bed. Use a centering indicator to set the height and position and away you go.

So you install a ground dowel into the chuck then use a v-base magnetic block to tram in the toolpost? Good Idea I never thought about that. I just had to adjust mine last night after I dragged my new grooving tool at 150IPM back to the home postition while still .070 in a o-ring groove :( CNC Newbie here LOL.

Mac

larkidav

07-02-2009, 11:37 AM

TL-1 is very user friendly. We have 4 of them at the college and the students pick them up very quickly.

asilrellim

07-02-2009, 12:22 PM

akdesarkar
From where can I get free online training CNC Lathe operating?
Thanks

Hi,
I'm a new user to this site. I'm teaching a machining class, manual & CNC, and using the Haas CNC controller for the latter. Although I have a Haas manual, is there an on-line tutorial available so that multiple students can work at their own pace to learn the controller before creating their programs using the only real controller and machine in the shop?

asilrellim

07-02-2009, 12:50 PM

Hi,
I'm a new user to this site and want to tap into as many resources as possible. I'm teaching a machining class, manual & CNC, and using the Haas CNC controller (and machine-lathe & mill) for the latter. Although I have Haas manuals, are there any FREE on-line tutorials available so that multiple students can work at their own pace to learn the controller before creating the programs they want to run using the only real controller and machine in the shop?

DEAN

07-02-2009, 05:57 PM

Have you viewed this stuff: http://www.haascnc.com/custserv_training.asp#custserv

There is training manual type of stuff towards the bottom of the page..

I have seen but not actually used the HAAS simulators. I am guessing these can be leased from the HFO. Its a stand-alone control simulator. The actual control without a machine connected.
Seems ideal for the theory potion of the class.

excelerate

07-09-2009, 08:58 AM

hi all, last time i was on this site was asking the same questions. (12 months ago) we ended up with a TL2 over all we are happy. we do prototyping and some short runs (8off) with no cnc experance the haas is a good machine. ips is a problem with some limits for us. the profile function is a pain in the ass (maybe we just carnt use it propperly) the recording function is ok i find it hard to edit if you miss or need to add an opperation later (in the middle of programing) we are still learning so the could well be just us. one thing we in addition to willson 10 was to move the mounts of the left chip gard around 2" so the door opens more. we were told this by the sales guy so you dont bash your hand when you use the chuck key. why they dont do this from factory i dont know made a huge difference. a good machine for the money with only one service call after the controler crashed, fix in 2days with an upgrade was impressed with the repair service even had a call from the states to see if i was happy with the service call. so back up was great.